Have things changed on the 'unliveable' street?

Three years ago we reported on how life on one street had become so unbearable residents were clamouring to leave. But concerted efforts were made to make things better, so we went back to find out if they had...

- PAIGE OLDFIELD

TWO little girls play with their Barbie dolls on a pavement. A man wearing a dressing gown looks out from his doorway, clutching his mug of tea as he observes people walking by.

This quiet street was once dubbed 'unliveable' by those living there. At one time, Glebe Street in Leigh was so overrun by anti-social behaviour locals described how neighbours were leaving the area.

Residents complained of prostitution, drug dealing and threatening behaviour which peaked in late 2019. The situation became so dire, authorities were forced to install cameras and increase patrols in a bid to tackle the issues.

Some residents said it was too little too late at the time. One reported being threatened with a knife for reporting fly-tipping while another described being mugged while with her four-year-old son.

Three years on and the council says efforts to make the area safer have been a 'big success. But do locals think life on Glebe Street has changed? "Things are starting to be okay, it was bad two years ago," resident Andrei Preda, 23, said. "Before I went on holiday, someone broke into my car and a week before they broke into my friend's car. It was the same person.

"I see on Facebook people reporting thieves breaking into their houses and cars. I want to move. It makes me feel disgusted. Two months ago, I found my wingmirror kicked off and my car was scratched."